Baby sign language
Whether you teach your baby simple hand signs for things like milk or more before they can talk.
Should we teach our baby sign language?
In short: Parents choose between 3 main approaches: None; A few functional signs; Structured program. Evidence: your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide. Best settled: 6–12 months.
- Evidence
- Your call
- Best settled
- 6–12 months
- Part of
- Pregnancy to first birthday
Baby sign language: what are the options?
Parents usually land on one of these 3 approaches.
1. None
You do not teach signs.
2. A few functional signs
You teach a handful of useful signs, such as milk and more.
3. Structured program
You follow a full program of baby signs.
Baby sign language: what does the evidence say?
Your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide.
A systematic review found no convincing evidence it improves language, and no harm
Sources
What else is worth knowing?
Babies can learn simple gestures before they can speak, which may ease frustration. It takes consistent repetition from everyone who looks after the baby. It is optional and does not delay speech.
Questions to ask each other
- Does teaching signs appeal to us?
- How much effort would we put into it?
- What would we do if grandparents or caregivers do not use the signs?
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First published 2026-10-03. Last updated 2026-10-05. General information, not medical advice.